‘We Went From Being Poor to Living in Misery’

When I ask Leticia and her friends if they ever consider protesting, they shrug the suggestion off. “If we do, the army will kill us,” Leticia says. Zuri adds that despite her anger the “hunt” for food, water and medicines leaves her no time. “And besides, nothing will change,” she says. Dire living conditions and fear of repression can sometimes demobilize a society like in San Blas. Other times, like in Maracaibo, they propel it. More…